Washing machine and water level/vibration sensor for washing machine

ABSTRACT

A water level/vibration sensor for a washing machine is provided. The water level/vibration sensor includes a sensor housing mounted to a cabinet of a washing machine, a diaphragm configured to deform in shape depending on a change in a water level in a water storage tank, and a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensor housing in response to the deformation in shape of the diaphragm. The water level/vibration sensor further includes a core mounted to the pusher, a coil mounted to the sensor housing and configured to surround the core so as to provide a specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core, and a vibration chamber mounted to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator vibrating in conjunction with a vibration of the water storage tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0074386, filed on Jun. 13, 2017, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and a waterlevel/vibration sensor for a washing machine and, more particularly, toa washing machine and a water level/vibration sensor for a washingmachine, which are capable of accurately sensing both a water level anda vibration level of a washing machine through use of a vibrator.

BACKGROUND

In general, when washing items are put into washing water in a washingmachine, dirt may be separated from the washing items under the chemicalaction of a detergent. However, a long washing time is required in thecase of using only the action of the detergent. However, the dirtseparation speed may be increased by applying mechanical action such asfriction or vibration to the washing items.

For example, in a washing cycle, an amount of washing items put into awater storage tank (tub) is detected. The water flow, the detergentamount and the total washing time are set depending on the amount ofwashing items. Thereafter, the washing items may be washed during thetotal washing time. In this case, an appropriate water levelcorresponding to the amount of washing items contained in a washingbucket (drum) may be maintained using a water level sensor for sensing awater level in the drum.

After the washing cycle is completed, the contaminated water in thewashing bucket is discharged and fresh water is supplied to the washingbucket to perform a rinsing cycle in which the washing items are rinsedin conformity with a predetermined number of rinsing times.

After the rinsing cycle is completed, the water in the washing bucket isdischarged and the washing bucket is rotated at a high speed to performa dewatering process in which moisture is centrifugally removed from thewashing items. At this time, vibration generated during the dewateringprocess is sensed by a vibration sensor. This makes it possible toprevent damage caused by excessive vibration of the washing machine.

However, in the case of the conventional washing machine, a water levelsensor and a vibration sensor are separately installed in the washingmachine. Thus, the corresponding additional costs and manufacturingprocesses are required.

Vertical vibration (Z-direction vibration) generated in the washingmachine may be sensed by a conventional vibration sensor. However, it isdifficult to accurately detect vibrations (e.g., an X-directionvibration and a Y-direction vibration) other than vertical vibration.

Korean Patent No. 10-0425124 (published on May 18, 2004) is an exampleof the prior art.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide awashing machine and a water level/vibration sensor, which are capable ofaccurately sensing a water level in a water storage tank and a vibrationlevel.

According to one embodiment, a water level/vibration sensor for awashing machine is disclosed. The water level/vibration sensor includesa sensor housing mounted to a cabinet of a washing machine; a diaphragmconfigured to deform in shape depending on a change in a water level ina water storage tank; a pusher configured to be moved up and down insidethe sensor housing in response to the deformation in shape of thediaphragm; a core mounted to the pusher; a coil mounted to the sensorhousing and configured to surround the core to provide a specificinductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and a vibrationchamber mounted to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibratorvibrating in conjunction with vibration of the water storage tank.

In the water level/vibration sensor, the vibration chamber may include aplurality of vibration chambers spaced apart from one another anddisposed in a symmetrical relationship with respect to a center of thepusher.

In the water level/vibration sensor, a guide projection configured toconvert horizontal movement of the vibrator into vertical movement ofthe vibrator may be provided in the vibration chamber.

In the water level/vibration sensor, the vibration chamber may include afirst vibration chamber configured to accommodate a first vibratorvibrating in conjunction with the vibration of the water storage tank;and a second vibration chamber spaced apart from the first vibrationchamber and configured to accommodate a second vibrator having a sizedifferent from a size of the first vibrator.

According to another embodiment, a washing machine is disclosed. Thewashing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an outer shell ofthe washing machine; a water storage tank installed inside the cabinet;a washing bucket rotatably installed inside the water storage tank andconfigured to provide a washing space for washing items; and a waterlevel/vibration sensor configured to sense a water level in the waterstorage tank and vibration of the water storage tank. The waterlevel/vibration sensor includes a sensor housing mounted to the cabinetof the washing machine, a diaphragm installed inside the sensor housingto deform in shape depending on the water level in the water storagetank, a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensorhousing in response to the deformation in shape of the diaphragm, a coremounted to the pusher, a coil mounted to the sensor housing andconfigured to surround the core to provide a specific inductance valuecorresponding to movement of the core, and a vibration chamber mountedto the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator vibrating inconjunction with a vibration of the water storage tank.

The washing machine may further include a controller configured to, whena vibration signal applied by the water level/vibration sensor deviatesfrom a predetermined permissible vibration range, determine that thevibration of the water storage tank is at an excessive vibration leveland stop an operation of the washing machine responsive thereto.

In the washing machine, the vibration chamber may include a plurality ofvibration chambers spaced apart from one another and disposed in asymmetrical relationship with respect to a center of the pusher.

In the washing machine, a guide projection configured to converthorizontal movement of the vibrator into vertical movement of thevibrator may be provided in the vibration chamber.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a water level ina water storage tank and a vibration level can be sensed by a singlesensor. It is therefore unnecessary to provide individual, separate,sensors for detecting a water level in a water storage tank and avibration.

Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure,there is provided a vibrator capable of detecting fine vibration in awashing machine. It is therefore possible to accurately sense avibration level of a washing machine during its dewatering cycle.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure,three-dimensional vibrations generated in a washing machine areconverted into a vertical motion of a vibrator. It is therefore possibleto thoroughly detect vibrations generated in a washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial side sectional view showing a washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing control logic of the washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view showing a water level/vibrationsensor of the washing machine according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pusher having vibration chambersin a water level/vibration sensor according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pusher having vibration chambersin a water level/vibration sensor according to a modification of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claimsare not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, andother changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe subject matter presented here.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosurecan be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilledin the art will realize, the described exemplary embodiments may bemodified in various different ways, all without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to theexemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarilydimensionally illustrated. Relative sizes and proportions of parts inthe drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and any discussedpredetermined size is just exemplificative and not limitative. The samereference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or partsillustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similarcharacteristics.

The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate idealexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As aresult, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly,the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the specific forms of theillustrated regions, and for example, may include modifications of aform due to manufacturing.

The configuration and operation according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial side sectional view showing a washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram showing control logic or circuitry of the washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine 1 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 20, a waterstorage tank 30, a washing bucket 40, a water level/vibration sensor 10and a controller 60. In the present embodiment, a vortex type washingmachine with a door installed in the upper portion thereof will bedescribed by way of example. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto and may be applied to an agitating washing machine and adrum type washing machine.

Specifically, the cabinet 20 may be configured by a housing that formsan outer shell of the washing machine, and may be provided in asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The waterstorage tank 30, the washing bucket 40 and the water level/vibrationsensor 10 may be mounted inside the cabinet 20.

The water storage tank 30, which is a container capable of accommodatingwashing water, may be provided in a cylindrical shape. The water storagetank 30 may receive washing water from a water supply valve (not shown)and may discharge the washing water to the outside of the cabinet 20through a drain port (not shown). The washing bucket 40 may be rotatablymounted inside the water storage tank 30. The water storage tank 30 maygenerally correspond to a tub of a drum type washing machine.

The washing bucket 40 may be a cylinder having a large number of waterpassage holes. The washing bucket 40 may be rotated inside the waterstorage tank 30 by a driving shaft of a driving motor 50. A pulsator (tobe rotated a half revolution or one full revolution by the drivingshaft) may be provided in the washing bucket 40. The washing bucket 40may generally correspond to a drum of a drum type washing machine.

The water level/vibration sensor 10 may sense a water level of thewashing water accommodated in the water storage tank 30 and may sensevibrations of the water storage tank 30 during a washing process (e.g.,a dewatering cycle). The water level/vibration sensor 10 may apply waterlevel information obtained by sensing the water level in the waterstorage tank 30 and vibration level information obtained by sensing thevibration of the water storage tank 30 to the controller 60. Details ofthe water level/vibration sensor 10 will be described later.

The controller 60 may determine the supply of washing water into thewashing bucket 40 by analyzing the water level information received fromthe water level/vibration sensor 10. For example, the controller 60 maycompare the water level information measured by the waterlevel/vibration sensor 10 with a predetermined reference water level. Ifthe water level information of the water level/vibration sensor 10satisfies the reference water level, the controller 60 will stop thesupply of the washing water into the water storage tank 30 and willapply an operation signal for a washing process to the driving motor 50.

In addition, if the vibration signal applied by the waterlevel/vibration sensor 10 deviates from a predetermined permissiblevibration range, the controller 60 may determine that the vibrationgenerated in the water storage tank 30 is at an excessive vibrationlevel, and may apply a stop signal to cease operation of the drivingmotor 50 of the washing machine.

Hereinafter, the water level/vibration sensor of the washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedin detail.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view showing the waterlevel/vibration sensor of the washing machine according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective viewshowing a pusher having vibration chambers in the water level/vibrationsensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water level/vibration sensor 10 of thewashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosuremay include a sensor housing 100, a diaphragm 200, a pusher 300, a core400, a coil 500 and vibration chambers 600.

The sensor housing 100 may provide an accommodation space in which maybe mounted the major components of the water level/vibration sensor 10,for example, the diaphragm 200, the pusher 300, the core 400, the coil500 and the vibration chambers 600. The sensor housing 100 may beinstalled inside the washing machine (e.g., inside the cabinet 20). Morespecifically, a flow path for guiding the vertical movement of thepusher 300 may be formed at the center of the sensor housing 100. Anelastic spring 700 for elastically supporting the upper end of thepusher 300 may be provided in the flow path. A cylindrical supportmember 110 for supporting the upper end portion of the coil 500 and asupport cap 120 for closing the upper portion of the sensor housing 100may be provided in the upper portion of the sensor housing 100. Inaddition, the coil 500 surrounding the flow path may be provided on theouter periphery side of the sensor housing 100.

The diaphragm 200 may be positioned between the outer peripheral edge ofthe pusher 300 and the inner wall of the sensor housing 100 so that thediaphragm 200 can be deformed depending on the air pressurecorresponding to the water level in the water storage tank 30. Thediaphragm 200 may be made of a rubber material which is convexlydeformable by the air pressure.

The pusher 300 may move up and down along the flow path of the sensorhousing 100 depending on the change in shape of the diaphragm 200. Thecore 400 may be mounted to the pusher 300. When the pusher 300 moves upand down, the core 400 may change the specific inductance value of thecoil 500 using the electromagnetic interaction with the coil 500.

The coil 500 may be mounted to the sensor housing 100 so as to surroundthe core 400 and may provide the specific inductance value correspondingto the movement of the core 400. For example, when the pusher 300 towhich the core 400 is mounted is moved up and down due to thedeformation of the diaphragm 200, the specific inductance of the coil500 is changed depending on the vertical movement amount of the core400. The specific inductance change value of the coil 500 is multipliedby two capacitance values of an LC resonance circuit to generate apredetermined resonance frequency. The water level in the washingmachine may be measured using the amount of change in the resonancefrequency.

The vibration chambers 600 may be mounted on the upper surface of thepusher 300. The vibration chambers 600 may be provided in a pluralnumber and may be spaced apart from one another in a symmetricalrelationship with respect to the center of the pusher 300. In thepresent embodiment, three vibration chambers 600 are disposed to bespaced apart at 120 degree intervals in the circumferential directionwith respect to the center of the pusher 300. However, the presentdisclosure is not so limited thereto. The number of the vibrationchambers 600 and the arrangement pattern thereof may be variouslychanged as long as the vibration chambers 600 are disposed in asymmetrical relationship with respect to the center of the pusher 300.

The vibration chamber 600 may be provided in the form of a box having arectangular parallelepiped internal space. A vibrator 610 vibrating inconjunction with the vibration of the water storage tank 30 may beaccommodated in the internal space of the vibration chamber 600.Although the vibration chamber 600 is provided in the form of arectangular parallelepiped box in the present embodiment, the shape ofthe vibration chamber 600 may have various forms as long as thevibration chamber 600 can effectively transfer the vibration of thevibrator 610. For example, in one embodiment, the vibration chamber 600may be provided in the form of a circular column having a cylindricalspace.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pusher having vibration chambersin a water level/vibration sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to this embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the vibration chamber 600 may include a first vibrationchamber 600 a and a second vibration chamber 600 b that have vibratorsdiffering in size from each other.

In this case, the first vibration chamber 600 a may be disposed on thecenter side of the pusher 300. A first vibrator 610 a vibrating inconjunction with the vibration of the washing machine may beaccommodated in the first vibration chamber 600 a. The second vibrationchamber 600 b may be disposed on the outer periphery side of the pusher300. A second vibrator 610 b larger in size than the first vibrator 610a may be accommodated in the second vibration chamber 600 b.

The first vibrator 610 a and the second vibrator 610 b have differentsizes and may respond to vibrations of different magnitudes. Eventually,the first vibrator 610 a and the second vibrator 610 b may sensevibrations of different magnitudes generated in the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is asectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vibrator 610 vibrating in conjunctionwith the vibration of the water storage tank 30 may be provided in theinternal space of the vibration chamber 600. The vibrator 610 mayconvert the three-dimensional vibrations of the washing bucket 40 (e.g.,the X-direction (longitudinal direction) vibration, the Y-direction(transverse direction) vibration and the Z-direction (verticaldirection) vibration) into a vertical (Z-direction) motion. This makesit possible to sense all the three-dimensional vibrations as a vibrationof the water storage tank 30.

To this end, guide projections 620 may be provided on the bottom surfaceof the vibration chamber 600. The guide projections 620 may be providedin the form of ridges protruding upward from the bottom surface of thevibration chamber 600 and may guide the horizontal (x-direction orY-direction) movement of the vibrator 610 into a vertical direction(Z-direction) movement thereof. Thus, even if the water storage tank 30makes rotational movement while describing an elliptical trajectory, thevibrator 610 may sense changes in the center and displacement of theelliptical trajectory in real time and may reflect the center anddisplacement of the elliptical trajectory as the vibration of the waterstorage tank 30.

The operations of the washing machine of the present disclosureconfigured as above will be described below.

First, at the initial stage of a washing process, in order to maintain awater level suitable for accommodation in the water storage tank 30(including the washing bucket), the water supply valve is openedaccording to the accommodation amount, thereby supplying water until thewater level reaches a predetermined water level. At this time, if thecore 400 of the water level/vibration sensor 10 is vertically moved inthe internal space of the coil 500, the controller 60 may determine thatwater exists in the water storage tank 30, depending on the movementamount of the core 400.

For example, if water exists in the water storage tank 30, the airpressure corresponding to the water level in the water storage tank 30is transferred to the diaphragm 200 of the water level/vibration sensor10. Then, the diaphragm 200 is convexly deformed due to the airpressure. At this time, the convexly deformed diaphragm 200 pushes upthe pusher 300, whereby the core 400 of the pusher 300 is alsovertically moved upward. Therefore, the core 400 is moved upward alongthe internal space of the coil 500, namely the flow path of the sensorhousing 100. In this case, the specific inductance of the coil 500 ischanged depending on the upward movement amount of the core 400. Thewater level in the water storage tank 30 is measured through the amountof changes in the resonance frequency thus generated. If it isdetermined that the measured water level is at a level suitable for thepredetermined accommodation amount, the controller 60 stops supplyingwater and performs a washing process.

Thereafter, if the washing process is completed and if the water isdrained, the water level in the water storage tank 30 will be loweredand the air pressure is also lowered. Therefore, by virtue of therestoration force of the elastic spring 700, the core 400 is graduallymoved down through the internal space of the coil 500 and is returned tothe initial position. If the core 400 is returned to the initialposition, the inductance of the coil 500 is reduced and the resonancefrequency is also changed. This enables the controller 60 to determinethe drain completion time.

Meanwhile, if a dewatering process is performed after a rinsing process,vibrations are generated in the washing bucket 40 due to the rotation ofthe driving motor 50. At this time, the water level/vibration sensor 10may accurately sense the three-dimensional vibrations generated in thewashing bucket 40.

For example, when the washing bucket 40 is rotated, the vibrator 610 ofthe water level/vibration sensor 10 is horizontally moved on the bottomsurface of the vibration chamber 600 and is then vertically moved by theguide projections 620, thereby generating a vertical direction vibrationinside the vibration chamber 600. At this time, the vertical directionvibration in the vibration chamber 600 is transferred to the diaphragm200 of the water level/vibration sensor 10. As the pusher 300 is pushedup by the diaphragm 200, the core 400 is moved upward in the internalspace of the coil 500. In response to the upward movement of the core400, the specific inductance of the coil 500 is changed. Eventually, thevibration level of the washing bucket 40 is measured through the changeamount of the resonance frequency.

If the vibration signal applied by the water level/vibration sensor 10deviates from a predetermined permissible vibration range, thecontroller 60 determines that the vibration generated in the waterstorage tank 30 is at an excessive level. Then, the controller 60applies a stop signal to stop operation of the driving motor 50 of thewashing machine. This makes it possible to immediately stop theoperation of the washing machine.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the water level in the washing machine and the vibration maybe sensed by a single sensor. It is therefore unnecessary to provideindividual, separate, sensors for detecting both the water level in thewashing machine and the vibration level. There is provided a vibratorcapable of detecting a fine vibration in the washing machine. It istherefore possible to accurately sense the vibration level of thewashing machine during the dewatering process. Three-dimensionalvibrations generated in the washing machine are converted into thevertical motions of the vibrator. It is therefore possible to thoroughlydetect the vibrations generated in the washing machine regardless oftheir directions.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in theart will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented invarious ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit ofthe present disclosure.

Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects.The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, notthe detailed description, and it should be construed that all changesand modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims andequivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the presentdisclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will beconstrued that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belongto the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor for a washing machine, the sensorcomprising: a sensor housing mounted to a cabinet of the washingmachine; a diaphragm configured to deform in shape based on a change ina water level in a water storage tank; a pusher configured to be movedup and down inside the sensor housing responsive to a deformation inshape of the diaphragm; a core disposed on the pusher; a coil disposedon the sensor housing and configured to surround the core and to providea specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and avibration chamber disposed on the pusher and configured to accommodate avibrator configured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of thewater storage tank.
 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the vibrationchamber comprises a plurality of vibration chambers that are spacedapart from one another and disposed in a substantially symmetricalrelationship with respect to a center of the pusher.
 3. The sensor ofclaim 2, wherein the vibration chamber has provided therein a guideprojection configured to convert horizontal movement of the vibratorinto vertical movement of the vibrator.
 4. The sensor of claim 1,wherein the vibration chamber comprises: a first vibration chamberconfigured to accommodate a first vibrator operable to vibrate inconjunction with vibration of the water storage tank; and a secondvibration chamber spaced apart from the first vibration chamber andconfigured to accommodate a second vibrator having a size different froma size of the first vibrator.
 5. A washing machine, comprising: acabinet; a water storage tank disposed inside the cabinet; a washingbucket disposed inside the water storage tank and configured to rotatetherein and provide a washing space for washing items; and a sensorconfigured to sense both a water level in the water storage tank andvibration of the water storage tank, wherein the sensor comprises: asensor housing coupled to the cabinet; a diaphragm disposed inside thesensor housing and configured to deform in shape based on a water levelin the water storage tank; a pusher configured to be moved up and downinside the sensor housing in response to a deformation in shape of thediaphragm; a core coupled to the pusher; a coil coupled to the sensorhousing and configured to surround the core and to provide a specificinductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and a vibrationchamber coupled to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibratorconfigured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of the water storagetank.
 6. The washing machine of claim 5, further comprising: acontroller configured to, when a vibration signal supplied by the sensordeviates from a predetermined range, determine that vibration of thewater storage tank is at an excessive level and stop an operation of thewashing machine responsive thereto.
 7. The washing machine of claim 5,wherein the vibration chamber comprises a plurality of vibrationchambers spaced apart from one another and disposed in a symmetricalrelationship with respect to a center of the pusher.
 8. The washingmachine of claim 5, wherein the vibration chamber has provided therein aguide projection configured to convert horizontal movement of thevibrator into vertical movement of the vibrator.
 9. A washing machine,comprising: a water storage tank; a washing bucket disposed inside thewater storage tank and configured to rotate therein and provide awashing space for laundry; and a single sensor device configured tosense both a water level in the water storage tank and vibration of thewater storage tank; and a controller configured to, when a vibrationsignal supplied by the single sensor device deviates from apredetermined range, determine that vibration of the water storage tankis at an excessive level and stop an operation of the washing machineresponsive thereto.
 10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein thesingle sensor device comprises: a sensor housing; a diaphragm disposedinside the sensor housing and configured to deform in shape based on awater level in the water storage tank; a pusher configured to be movedup and down inside the sensor housing in response to a deformation inshape of the diaphragm; a core coupled to the pusher; a coil coupled tothe sensor housing and configured to surround the core and to provide aspecific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and avibration chamber coupled to the pusher and configured to accommodate avibrator configured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of thewater storage tank.
 11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein thevibration chamber comprises a plurality of vibration chambers spacedapart from one another and disposed in a substantially symmetricalrelationship with respect to a center of the pusher.
 12. The washingmachine of claim 11, wherein the vibration chamber has provided thereina guide projection configured to convert horizontal movement of thevibrator into vertical movement of the vibrator.